First look: Inside Chicago Midway's first-ever airport lounge, The Club MDW
For the first time in its 96-year history, Chicago's Midway International Airport (MDW) will be home to an airport lounge.
On Wednesday, Airport Dimensions will open The Club MDW, a 3,265-square-foot lounge that'll become the latest outpost in The Club's growing network.
The space will be open daily from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m., and it'll be available to anyone flying from MDW.
Travelers who carry a Priority Pass will enjoy free access to The Club MDW, and day passes will also be available to all Midway passengers with a valid departing boarding pass for $50.
"The fact that this is the first shared-use lounge in Midway's 96-year history, we needed to do something special. ... So the fact that we could be the first is really special and a proud moment for us," Chris Gwilliam, vice president of global business development for Airport Dimensions, said in an exclusive interview with TPG.
The lounge itself is located at MDW’s Central Market, at the intersection of Concourses A and B. It was designed to draw inspiration from Chicago's art deco and midcentury modern architecture styles, and, as such, it features eye-catching design elements. These include what look to be monochromatic tones and arched walls.
In addition to the design, the lounge also features photography by two renowned local artists, Mark Hersch and Angie McMonigal. These pictures of Chicago's urban landscape further the local touches that The Club built into this space.
"It's been uniquely designed; it's a one-of-a-kind design. You won't see that design anywhere else," Gwilliam said.
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Other highlights include various seating options, from seats designed to unwind to more productivity-inspired workstations. The Club says that 90% of seats in the new lounge are equipped with power outlets.
The Club partnered with a few local food-and-beverage outlets for the dining options. This includes offering craft beers from Revolution Brewing and Two Brothers Brewing Company, alongside spirits from Chicago-based Koval Distillery. Meanwhile, the lounge menu reflects the city’s vibrant culinary scene on the buffet.
The lounge's focal point will be the bar, where travelers can enjoy complimentary signature cocktails, such as the Chicago Fizz and the Southside.
Of course, at just about 3,300 square feet, I imagine the space will get extremely busy. There are seats for only 76 passengers, and given the popularity of the Priority Pass program, I envision that the line to enter the lounge will get quite long, especially during peak departure banks and during irregular operations.
Plus, Midway is primarily served by Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines, and both budget carriers don't operate any of their own lounges.
"It's fair to say we would've liked more space, and hopefully, in the future, who knows, we might have a chance to grow," Gwilliam explained.
So, while it's undoubtedly exciting for MDW to get its first airport lounge, I wouldn't necessarily count on being able to visit the space during your next trip unless you happen to pass by during a quiet period.
To manage the waitlist, Airport Dimensions is investing in technology.
"We've introduced a system called WaitWhile, which allows people to digitally manage if there isn't available capacity at the time. And then we can text people while they go off and enjoy the concourse," Gwilliam said.
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.